Let us help you recover valuable metals. 888-437-1187

Magazine

Legislation & Regulation

New Mining Regulations in Maine

Augusta, Maine (AP)—The Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) approved new mining regulations in January that advocates say will weaken land and water protections and won’t protect the environment from sulfuric acid and other toxins.

Renewed interest in mining of gold, silver, copper and other metals in Aroostook County’s Bald Mountain triggered 2012 legislation requiring the overhaul of the state’s two-decade-old mining regulations.

The Democratic-controlled state Legislature, however, will have the final say on the new rules, which could be the subject of a heated battle.

The Department of Environmental Protection, which drafted the regulations, has said the rules are based on science, meet the requirements of law and protect the environment. But some environmentalists are angry over what they say are insufficient protections.

The final BEP rules opened up some conservation land to underground mining, allowed mining companies to potentially treat contaminated water in perpetuity, and allowed mining companies to start construction without providing full financial assurances—although those financial obligations must be fully met before mining can commence.

Nick Bennett from the Natural Resources Council of Maine said the BEP made some last-minute changes and ignored hundreds of public comments calling for stronger rules.

But any mining operations are likely years away. J.D. Irving Ltd., owner of Bald Mountain, says it still doesn’t know if mining is feasible and that any mining operation is at least five years away.
© ICMJ's Prospecting and Mining Journal, CMJ Inc.
Next Article »« Previous Article

Add a Comment

Additional articles that might interest you...

MMAC & PLP Update -- 2015 Minerals and Mining Regulatory Reform Act


Is there any hope for a solution? Yes, there is, and we’ve been working with Public Lands for the People, the Minerals and Mining Advisory Council, attorney James Buchal and others on that solution.

AMRA Takes On USFS in Idaho


Mr. Hughes was obviously shaken by our interaction and we are quite confident he assumed we were all missing teeth, long-haired, uneducated, backwoods miners who would immediately become submissive. That didn’t happen...

Legislative and Regulatory Update


• Show of support needed for anti-EPA bills
• Arizona mining data now online
• California suction dredge hearings
• Update on Forest Service abuse in Washington

Legislative and Regulatory Update


• California suction dredging
• House shows support for public land use

Legislative and Regulatory Update


• Bill to address Forest Service Travel Management restrictions
• Suction gold dredging challenge finally under way
• EPA nullification bill fails in Idaho
• Another bad bill

Legislative and Regulatory Update


• Judge orders reconsideration of “bi-state” sage grouse population in California and Nevada
• Environmental groups attempt to reinstate hard rock rule

Colorado Disputes Key Part of EPA Mine Report


King’s letter is a blow to the EPA’s contention that outside technical experts supported its plan to push a drainage pipe through debris covering the entrance to the Gold King Mine…

Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill   • Legislative and Regulatory Update   • Ask the Experts   • Ask the Experts   • Ask the Experts   • Ask the Experts   • Our Readers Say   • The Perfect Summer   • Eolian Gold Deposits   • Copper Deposits of Alaska   • Divide and Conquer—Detecting Old Placer Grounds with Friends   • Reserves and Resources Explained   • Critical Metals: Lithium   • Coprolite—A Prospector's Tale   • Comstock Mining Gets Approval   • Melman on Gold & Silver   • Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices

Free:
SB 838 and the Future of Mining in Oregon

Advertisements

Precious Metals Recovery plants and equipment
Fighting to keep public lands open to the public
Specializing in the processing of precious metal ores!
Watch prospecting shows on your computer right now
Free Online Sample Issue